IGN India's Shooter of the Year 2016

It's that time of the year again!

By
IGN India Staff

If every genre is a different organ for the behemoth that is the video games industry, the shooter is undoubtedly the back bone. Regardless of how boring or repetitive they might get, we just keep coming back for more, and 2016 has been fantastic for shooters. Here are the nominees for the best shooter of 2016.

Battlefield 1

From IGN's Review: "Battlefield 1 does an amazing job of transplanting the fantastic chemistry of the series’ traditional multiplayer action into the weaponry and vehicles of World War I. The era brings with it not only a visually striking backdrop for classic game modes like Conquest and the compelling new Operations, but a distinct personality that touches everything from its rich lineup of archaic and distinctively designed weapons to the somber anthology of character-driven stories in its brief but surprisingly poignant single-player scenarios."

Doom

From IGN's Review: "Doom is a tale of two very different shooters (and one quirky creation tool). The single-player campaign's reverent worship of the series' roots results in an old-school run-and-gun shooter which feels like imitation Doom, a cover of an old hit which nails all the right power chords but isn't exactly transformative. The multiplayer's attempts to borrow from the new to reinvigorate the old results in an experience which won't satisfy either school of thought. SnapMap, meanwhile, is a blend of weird and simple and endearing."

Gears of War 4

From IGN's Review: "Gears of War 4 is directed by a new generation of creators, shares a lot of similar narrative structures to the beloved first piece of the trilogy it succeeds, and is an experience you’ll walk away from with a big smile on your face – in campaign, Versus, and Horde modes alike. It’s about as good of a franchise reawakening as I could’ve hoped for.”

Killing Floor 2

From IGN's Review: "In a time when shooters are competing to have the most modes, the biggest campaign, the most guns, and generally the most “stuff,” along comes Killing Floor 2, totally unconcerned with running that race. Its lack of modes and bosses will eventually turn away anyone but the most dedicated of fans, but its foundation is so fun and rock solid that, even if you only plan on playing for a few weeks with your friends, there’s plenty here to enjoy."

Overwatch

From IGN's Review: "Overwatch is an incredible achievement in multiplayer shooter design. It bobs and weaves almost perfectly between being the quick-fix adrenaline hit you might want after a long day of work, and the thoughtful, strategic multiplayer experience that becomes the center of evening-long binges with friends. It might not have the most exhaustive list of maps and modes, but it provides nearly endless opportunities for exhilarating, coordinated play, and when you’re the one at the center of it, it feels like nothing else."

Titanfall 2

From IGN's Review: "It’s rare that a sequel evolves on every part of the original concept so consistently for the better, but Titanfall 2 is that exception. Its feelgood movement is the foundation for both the engaging action and platforming gameplay of its strong campaign and its over-the-top competitive multiplayer. With bolstered progression, customization, variety, and a fleshed-out story, Respawn has made good on its original vision with Titanfall 2. And bottom line, it’s just damn fun to play."

Shadow Warrior 2

From IGN's Review: "Wang's stupid wisecracks kept me smiling from start to finish, and the variety of melee and ranged combat and the loot that dropped from it was satisfying enough that I came back with friends for more. It's great fun in solo or in co-op, and its small degree of randomization is enough to keep the action fresh for at least a few runs."

Winner: Overwatch

It's difficult to deny the big effect Overwatch has had over multiplayer video games. It's just one of the tightest, most fun multiplayer experiences to be had this year, and a lot of it comes down to the gameplay mechanics, the creative character designs and game design so accessible, many gamers all over the world are using it as their gateway drug to the world of multiplayer shooters. Coupled with Blizzard's downright legendary post-launch support for their games, Overwatch is a game many of us are going to come back to time and time again, and have a blast. Despite being released in the same year as Doom and Titanfall 2, Overwatch definitely deserves the crown of IGN India’s best shooter of 2016.